World War I American History Mr. Sontheimer
Throughout the 20th century the world has been torn apart by wars. Unlike previous conflicts these “modern” wars involved more nations, took advantage of the technological improvements related to the Industrial Revolution, and engulfed the entire populations of the combatant nations. We are going to examine the First World War and consider some of the common themes and unique events that characterized the conflict. Why This War Matters! How did the First World War begin and why were so many nations eager to fight and confident of eventual victory? Critical Points- -World War I was started by a variety of leaders that all felt confident that the war would be short and the outcome would be positive for their country.
Imperialism, Nationalism, Militarism, and a complex System of Alliances all contributed to start a war far more severe and destructive than had ever been fought.
How did Technology impact the ways that war was waged and promoted?
-World War I featured many new inventions and weapons that were developed and improved throughout the first half of the twentieth century. These inventions included tanks, aircraft, submarines, better communications devices, radar, sonar, and many more. The introduction many of the inventions prompted improvements and innovations that continue through today. Critical Points- ·New technologies changed how war was waged Old techniques of fighting were decidedly ineffective against new tools. (chart the changes that armies made in how they fight ie. trenches vs. movement) ·Developments in weapons extended their range and effectiveness. (examine the improvements made to a weapon of your choice through both wars ie. The tank) ·Destructive capability increased so much that weapons became almost unusable because of their power.(Look at some of the most ghastly moments of the war and make comparisons about the weapons that brought them about ) How did the pursuit of military victories affect the civilians populations of the nations that were involved?
-World War I engulfed the civilian populations of the opposing sides. Civilians supported the wars through factory production and agriculture. Civilians were targeted by all sides as the war progressed, and civilian opinion was critical to the continued war efforts. Critical Points- ·As men were mobilized for war, women’s roles on the home front expanded greatly(evaluate how production in both conflicts depended on women’s labor and support) ·Using blockades and the denying supplies of food as weapons was practiced by all sides. (examine the blockades or WWI with the mass starvation of WWII in Leningrad) ·Maintaining the war effort through propaganda was common and very important for morale.( compare the types of propaganda in both world conflicts)
Helpful Timeline with Links….Copy into your Wikispace
1914 June 28th - Assassination of Arch-Duke Ferdinand August 1st- Germany Declares War on Russia October 29th –Trench Warfare becomes dominant on Western Front 1915 May 7th- Lusitania is sunk by German Submarine (U-Boat) 1916 September 15th- British introduce the tank to the battlefield 1917 January 16th Zimmerman Note February 1st- Germans begin unrestricted submarine warfare April 6th- United States declares war on Germany December 5th- Communist Russia reaches separate peace with Germany General “Black” Jack Pershing leads the first of 1.8 Million American Soldiers 1918 October 4th- Germany asks for Armistice (cease fire) November 11th- Armistice is signed bring an end to the fighting World Wide Influenza epidemic 1919 June 28th- Treaty of Versailles is signed with the League of Nations 1921
World War I Alliances Triple Entente France Russia England USA
General Good Place to Start High School Media Center
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Password-Warriors
Go the History Special Section and Type in “World War I or World War II”
This is a resource with many primary sources and links, use it!
American History
Mr. Sontheimer
Throughout the 20th century the world has been torn apart by wars. Unlike previous conflicts these “modern” wars involved more nations, took advantage of the technological improvements related to the Industrial Revolution, and engulfed the entire populations of the combatant nations. We are going to examine the First World War and consider some of the common themes and unique events that characterized the conflict.
Why This War Matters!
How did the First World War begin and why were so many nations eager to fight and confident of eventual victory?
Critical Points-
-World War I was started by a variety of leaders that all felt confident that the war would be short and the outcome would be positive for their country.
How did Technology impact the ways that war was waged and promoted?
-World War I featured many new inventions and weapons that were developed and improved throughout the first half of the twentieth century. These inventions included tanks, aircraft, submarines, better communications devices, radar, sonar, and many more. The introduction many of the inventions prompted improvements and innovations that continue through today.
Critical Points-
· New technologies changed how war was waged Old techniques of fighting were decidedly ineffective against new tools. (chart the changes that armies made in how they fight ie. trenches vs. movement)
· Developments in weapons extended their range and effectiveness. (examine the improvements made to a weapon of your choice through both wars ie. The tank)
· Destructive capability increased so much that weapons became almost unusable because of their power.(Look at some of the most ghastly moments of the war and make comparisons about the weapons that brought them about )
How did the pursuit of military victories affect the civilians populations of the nations that were involved?
-World War I engulfed the civilian populations of the opposing sides. Civilians supported the wars through factory production and agriculture. Civilians were targeted by all sides as the war progressed, and civilian opinion was critical to the continued war efforts.
Critical Points-
· As men were mobilized for war, women’s roles on the home front expanded greatly(evaluate how production in both conflicts depended on women’s labor and support)
· Using blockades and the denying supplies of food as weapons was practiced by all sides. (examine the blockades or WWI with the mass starvation of WWII in Leningrad)
· Maintaining the war effort through propaganda was common and very important for morale.( compare the types of propaganda in both world conflicts)
Helpful Timeline with Links….Copy into your Wikispace
1914
June 28th - Assassination of Arch-Duke Ferdinand
August 1st- Germany Declares War on Russia
October 29th –Trench Warfare becomes dominant on Western Front
1915
May 7th- Lusitania is sunk by German Submarine (U-Boat)
1916
September 15th- British introduce the tank to the battlefield
1917
January 16th Zimmerman Note
February 1st- Germans begin unrestricted submarine warfare
April 6th- United States declares war on Germany
December 5th- Communist Russia reaches separate peace with Germany
General “Black” Jack Pershing leads the first of 1.8 Million American Soldiers
1918
October 4th- Germany asks for Armistice (cease fire)
November 11th- Armistice is signed bring an end to the fighting
World Wide Influenza epidemic
1919
June 28th- Treaty of Versailles is signed with the League of Nations
1921
World War I Alliances
Triple Entente
France
Russia
England
USA
VS
Triple Alliance
Germany
Austria-Hungarian Empire
Ottoman Empire
Italy
Helpful Links-**
World War I
Animation of Early War
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/
http://www.firstworldwar.com/
http://www.pbs.org/greatwar/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ww1.htm
General Good Place to Start
High School Media Center
Login-Gettysburg
Password-Warriors
Go the History Special Section and Type in “World War I or World War II”
This is a resource with many primary sources and links, use it!
Readings-
The First World War- Read "Road to War" and "Guns of August" and answer questions provided below.
Cartoon Explanation of WWI
Use this document and the links to answer questions about WWI